Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Pharmacology is the study of how drugs interact with living organisms, including humans. It involves understanding how drugs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted in the body.
Related terms
Pharmacokinetics: This term refers to how the body processes a drug, including its absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination.
Therapeutics: Therapeutics focuses on the use of drugs to treat diseases or alleviate symptoms.
Drug interactions: Drug interactions occur when two or more drugs interact with each other in ways that can enhance or reduce their effectiveness or cause adverse effects.